Switch controls on a very small layout

controller/stationary

And there are other, less expensive, and easier ways to do that too.

........F>

magnets, even

part I cannot

It all depends on the way you operate, I suppose.

........F>

On Sat, 1 Jan 2005 07:12:33 UTC, snipped-for-privacy@thepond.com wrote: 2000

I uncouple manually using the skewers. I like the coupler appendages. It is easier for me to uncouple by tripping the appendage.

magnets, even

part I cannot

OK, I've spotted that problem for my own layout. As it's 'only' a variation on a "timesaver" the maximum train length on the run-around is 3 wagons. That piece of track doesn't need the full four uncouplers (uWuWuWu), just two with uncouplers near the ends. The industry tracks are a little more complex and initially I made them almost precisely the right length for the two or three wagons each one can hold. The next rebuilding I made the tracks the two or three wagon lengths _plus_ the two or three uncoupler magnet lengths. The result is that only one pair of couplers of a rake can be over a coupler at once and so uncoupling always works. The theory isn't going to work when the 'wagon + uncoupler length' times 'x many wagons' matches a multiple of 'wagon + uncoupler length', but at 3x I get away with it. On straight yard ladder tracks, one uncoupler at each end is sufficient.

European wagons really demand uncoupling from the side, with buffers as obstructions, so I made my coupling to work! :-)

controller/stationary

You really need mechanical reporting of the position of the point blades, otherwise you just get a report of the _intended_ point position. A mechanical switch works just as easily with hand thrown and non-DCC operation as with DCC.

Regards, Greg.P.

On Sat, 1 Jan 2005 18:58:13 UTC, snipped-for-privacy@thepond.com wrote: 2000

When I am doing local switching I try never to look at the controller. I watch the train. It is much easier to operate the ground throws since they are at the point where you want to make the move. Now if I could just remember to clean up after myself :-).

magnets, even

part I cannot

My fiancee, (now wife) said something very similar! ;-)

Thank you. Very good point. On our railroads here in NA there is a mechanical connection to the moveable point assembly that operates an electric switch that reports the actual position of the points. There are two conditions, actually that must be met. The switch machine must indicate that it is in the desired position and locked and the point position indicator must agree that the points are in correspondence with the switch machine. If either of these conditions is not met, a train cannot move over the turnout until a member of the crew has determined beyond doubt that the turnout is either locked in position or that a signal maintainer is required to service it. On a model railroad you could get along with just a true point position detector. ........F>

Yeah, just like that!

Nice.

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin" MRR Electronics Special Effects Lighting

I had a customer at a train show tell me of a guy who built a replica of an F7 cab in a room next to his layout. He had the prototypical controls set up to run his train on the layout, controls for the switches - and you guessed it - a monitor in the replica cab that showed the view from a mini-cam on the train.

He sat in his replica cab and ran his train over his layout.

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin" MRR Electronics Special Effects Lighting

While I agree with you 99% , that 1% is a situation I like having because of the visual interest it adds to a scene - an industry where you have a car that has to be spotted inside or under a shed/roof.

You have to use the old unhook at the magnet, pull a little forward, etc to push it back in.

I only have one planned for my current layout (and there was only one on the old one) but it is an element I like.

But other than that, I agree with your dislike of the magnets.

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin" MRR Electronics Special Effects Lighting

The cams simply offer a different look at your scenery. It doesn't take away from what you have, but adds another way of viewing your layout.

I also think they place MORE emphasis on the detailing of the scenery. It's amazing how much detail (or lack thereof) the cameras pick up. (Ever wonder what then inside of an unsceniced tunnel looks like? LOL)

You soon start to look at scenery and your track planning in a different light. The cam shots look best rolling through scenery, not next to it, so track along side the edge of a layout looks tacky.

On the other hand, a train rolling through a town with buildings on both sides, cars, crossing guards flashing, etc is way cool.

My personal preference is to put the cam at the back of the train, facing forward, similar to what the conductor would view from a cupola of a caboose. You see the train snaking through curves, etc.

We're all used to the "helicopter in the sky" view point, so it's the one we're most comfortable with. But how realistic is it, actually?

The most realistic view would be standing track side - which is one way some folks have used the mini-cams, giving a true train spotter experience.

One of the neatest views is two trains meeting in opposite directions. It's a view you can't get in any other way.

When (if?) I finish my scenery and do a camera shoot, I'll probably use a variety of shots and mix them together. Some helicopter shots, run-bys, some in cab, some from caboose, etc.

The beauty is that you can tape them though a VCR (or computer) and then re-edit them.

I don't think the cam is the primary way to view a layout, but it adds a fun element that offers a very different way of seeing your work.

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin" MRR Electronics Special Effects Lighting

facing forward, similar to what the conductor would view from a cupola of a caboose. You see the train snaking through curves, etc.< I think most of the modern (read small) cameras would fit in an HO cupola.

one we're most comfortable with. But how realistic is it, actually?< A story; A club I was at has cameras in one or more engines. One day a fellow was running (by walking along with his train) and some other members were observing his train from the monitor. Suddenly the shout went up, you are about to run a switch! The walk along operator never saw it and derailed his train but those watching the monitors clearly saw the impending tragedy.

HO ... which ones?

Paul

The one I'm carrying should be small enough. You might need to put a flat car just in front of it to provide a clearer view.

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin" MRR Electronics Special Effects Lighting

On Mon, 3 Jan 2005 14:00:29 UTC, Mike Tennent wrote: 2000

I uncouple them in the open with a skewer and manually offset the couplers, then push it in. A little more complex than the magnet but it works. This is also handy when classifying. Stand at the ladder and uncouple the cars before pushing them into the class tracks.

use magnets, even

the part I cannot

The owner made one mistake, that is having more than one permanent magnet under a train. This can be fixed by either raising and lowering the under track magnets or use electro magnets. Then there is no problem of unwanted uncoupling.